Hi everyone!
My name is Kate and I have been serving my time in the community of New Columbia! A lot has been happening since my last blog post, and I am tremendously excited to share with you what we have done! I currently work with a group of refugee children in the New Columbia neighborhood. I also began my own project in New Columbia in which I mentor high school students about college. This includes, deciding on schools, filling out applications, understanding financial aid and things such as simply deciding what to study. In addition to all of that, I attended a Congolese women’s group for five weeks and celebrated their official launch of their group called “Open Door.”
In New Columbia the group of youth I work alongside wonderful creative minds that have really engaged in the coursework that I have presented and facilitated with them. As a group we have learned about four main mental health challenges, which include, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, depression and eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia and binge eating). I teach the group a lesson and put together a group activity for each meeting. We began by trying to define these mental health challenges ourselves, then defining as a group and then defining them based on research. The youth have learned some of the signs and symptoms one might experience or face if they have one of the mental health challenges, and we are currently working on how to take action when someone is experiencing one of these challenges.
My heart rings for these youth because I know many of them experience at least one or more of these challenges, so I have focused our group activities mainly on expressive art therapy. The youth love to paint, and so we have painted garden pots and planted flowers to demonstrate that we can grow from our challenges. We also are currently working on a project where the youth are creating motivational posters that can be posted around the community, to raise awareness for helping those with mental illness, and providing them with resources to seek the care they might need to help and recover.
As my time in New Columbia is nearing it’s end we decided on doing one big group community outreach. Since, we have used expressive art therapy as an activity to process our own experiences we have decided we are going to do a giant mural on a canvas. One of the youth came up with the idea that we would paint a giant smiling face, and inside the smiling face would be the faces of hundreds of different emotions. I wish I could show you the final result because many of these youth are extremely talented when it comes to art! I loved working with the youth, so I have decided that I will help facilitate the group once or twice a month when my IFJ position ends. I value this community so deeply, and I love to see them thrive.
My mentoring position is something I find a lot of joy in. Many of the students I work with have never imagined or even dreamed of going to college and getting an education, but after being connected with resources they realize they have the amazing opportunity to discover themselves and further their education. I currently mentoring a refugee who wants to study international studies because she aspires to work in refugee camps one day. I also am mentoring a student who just completed their nursing school application for Concordia University. I am also working with another student, who is preparing to enter college in one week at Fisk University. I have helped her gain access to her resources, and guided her on her beginning journey towards medical school. I mentor many other students, and the time I spend with all these students fills my heart with so much joy because I know they will thrive in any path they strive towards during their college career.
Lastly, I have been attending a Congolese women’s group which has been, so incredibly inspiring. These women have started this group themselves, and within the group they have found joy in sharing their culture, language and home with many. We celebrated their official naming of their group which is, “Open Door.” The story behind this is absolutely amazing. When many of these families arrived from overseas to the United States, they experienced an overwhelming sense of loneliness many of them did not yet have a place to live, and they were forced and blessed to live with one another, until time could provide for them. As they have grown and began their new lives here in the United States, they take pride in always having their doors open for anyone who is experiencing homelessness amidst their transition to life in America, and have provided them with the love, care and support they might need to begin their new life here. This group truly inspires me and I am so lucky to have witnessed such strong women grow together for a wonderful purpose.
I love the time I have spent in New Columbia; it has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever been able to be a part of. I have decided to leave you with this quote that one of the youth shared with me other day. It is something that she holds close to her heart in times of struggle.
“When the world says “give up”, hope whispers “try it one more time.”
